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Vodice in Croatia - a Surprise Package
Strung along a large bay studded with small marinas and fringed with pretty beaches at first sight Vodice is just a popular seaside resort in the Dalmatia region of Croatia. But I was delighted to discover there are hidden depths to this pretty town ...
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Šibenik, the Town of King Krešimir, in Croatia
Everyone needs a hero. For the inhabitants of Šibenik in the Dalmatia region of Croatia it is the Croatian King Petar Krešimir. Hailed as the founder of the city there is some doubt about this accolade. But there is no doubt that this energetic king who ruled from 1059 until his death in 1074…
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The Ancient Pirate Stronghold of Omis in Croatia
I arrived in Omis in the Dalmatia region of Croatia by boat. The Cetina River has played a vital part in the history of the town. The famous pirates or corsairs of Omis fled to the shelter of the river’s estuary after plundering the surrounding coastline. I was not sailing into town in an…
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Walking the Makarska Riviera in Croatia
The Markarska Riviera is a beautiful stretch of coastline in the region of Dalmatia in Croatia. Its splendour is enhanced by the impressive Mount Biokovo that stands guard behind the town. Composed of limestone nature has fashioned this huge mountain into a series of peaks, plains and valleys. …
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Makarska the Capital of the Makarska Riviera in Croatia
Leaving the harbour-side I was soon immersed in cool shade tangy with the scent of pine. Wild cyclamen carpeted the ground around me. They resembled lilac colour like jewels studding rich brown mantle. Occasionally, through the trees I glimpsed the sparkling, profound blue of a calm sea and the…
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La Pigna in Sanremo - From Bottom to Top
Stepping through Porta di Santo Stefano is like following Alice down the rabbit hole. The visitor is immediately immersed in a tangle of narrow, enclosed alleyways that is La Pigna the old town of Sanremo on the Italian Riviera. Once through the thickness of the old city walls the local grocery…
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A Memorable Encounter in Bordighera on the Italian Riviera
I was perplexed. The signs I had been following had petered out for a third time. As I stood on the hill above the Porta Sottana inside the old town of Bordighera two distinguished gentleman entered the old town. For a split second they were perfectly framed by the old gate. Without thinking I…
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Damyang, South Korea's Garden of Bamboo and Metasequoia trees
I accepted an invitation to visit the bamboo grove in Damyang, as the idea of a journey through the South Korean countryside after the bustle of Seoul was very appealing. I had visions of wandering through cool, green avenues of bamboo plants but there was a big surprise in store for me ...
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Inuyama a Japanese History Book
Strolling by the Kiso River that runs through Inuyama a small town in Japan I paused to watch some cormorants drying their wings in the sun. Safe in the knowledge they would not be working that night as the cormorant fishing season was over they looked relaxed and content. I was on my way to the…
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Hardship to Holidaymakers on Pico Island in the Azores
In an extraordinary turn around the hardships of the islanders on Pico during the last century have now been turned into tourist attractions. Visitors to the island arrive at Madalena, the main town and port. When I arrived it was blurry through the rain but I could see it was an attractive,…